Although present mainly from June through to December this fungus is much more noticeable throughout the winter months, which unfortunately for the mushroom hunter, is well on it’s way! And to note, we have especially had a dry summer/autumn which has robbed us of many wonderful woodland finds, but that’s the way it goes sometimes…

The commonly named Yellow Stagshorn (Calocera viscosa) can be found always growing on dead and rotting coniferous stumps and logs, or appearing to grow from the soil, but this is due to underground rotting wood.

Although this fungus looks suspicious due to its bright yellow colouring, it is in fact harmless. But it’s not really a gourmet treat either! It has a rubbery texture with a ‘non-existent’ flavour. Never mind! But that besides, because of it’s pretty appearance, it is sometimes used to garnish salads and foods.

The Small Stagshorn (Calocera cornea) is a very close relative but much smaller and grows on deciduous rotting wood. Unlike the Yellow Stagshorn it has no forking branchlets at it’s tip but instead tapers out to a single, thin tip.

Look out for Yellow Stagshorn this autumn and winter time. They usually tend to be a grand and pretty decoration to any lone conifer stump…